Coil compacting method and apparatus



March 8, 1966 N. c. PATTERSON COIL COMPACTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FiledMay 27, 1963 INVENTOR. NORMAN C. PATTERSO,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent M Ohio Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No.283,301 11 Claims. (Cl. 100-3) This invention has to do with thecompacting of coils of metal and, although it can be used in thecompacting of coils of cold rolled steel or other metal from any source,it will be described in connection with a primary field of utility whichis the compacting of hot coils of iron or steel which have been rolledfrom slabs or ingots on Well-known continuous hot rolling mills andcoiled on the conventional coiling apparatus at the end of the runouttable which forms a conventional part of the continuous hot millinstallation.

As will be recognized by the skilled worker in the art, the hot coilswhen delivered from the conventional coiling devices are not generallyin compacted form, at least as to the outer convolutions thereof, sothat difliculties are encountered in transporting the hot coils from thecoiler to the next operation. The loose outer convolutions make the hotcoils difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle. Also the coils shouldbe both tight and handed, a condition difficult to achieve with hotcoils as delivered from conventional coiling apparatus.

There are known ways to tighten or compact a loose coil of material. Forexample, it may be possible to secure the free end of the material andthen rotate the coil until the wraps are tight. Another expedient is toretate the coil while forcing an object such as a roller inwardlyagainst the coil to cause the loose laps to become tightened. Inaddition to methods involving a rotation of the coil during tightening,there have been various attempts to pull or push the outer laps intoclose relationship while the main body of the coil is stationary withits axis vertical.

A typical effort of the last mentioned type has involved the provisionof a complicated machine which surrounds the coil with a relativelylarge number of radially disposed pushing devices, which devices arethen actuated by a system of controls in such fashion as to push theouter convolutions against the inner and firmer part of the coil,leaving a space in which the outer convolution or convolutions can bowoutwardly to accommodate their effective excess length, the controlsystem being such that the pushing forces are both exerted and relievedin a circumferential sequence so as, in effect, to wind the outerconvolutions of the coil against the inner and firmer portion byapplication of contricting forces rather than tensional forces. As hasbeen indicated such machines are complicated and expensive and possessother disadvantages.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a means and methodof simplified and economical character for tightening coils rapidly andeffectively while banding them.

This and other objects of the invention which will be set forthhereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon readingthese specifications, are accomplished by that process and apparatus ofwhich an exemplary embodiment will now be described. Reference is madeto the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one of the elements of this inventionfor acting upon a coil.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coil being acted upon by themechanical elements of this invention in the practice of the process.

This invention is based upon the discovery that if a coil is acted uponin a radial direction by a hammering 3,238,d64 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 ofvibrational means, there will occur a gradual tightening of the looseconvolutions of the coil. The hammering or vibrational forces exertedupon the coil may be exerted continuously at a single radial position;and it is not necessary during the tightening operation either to rotatethe coil or to move, with respect to the coil, the locus of theapplication of the forces. The forces may be exerted in a truly radialdirection, although the direction of force application may be directedby an angle of a few degrees toward the outer end of the coil. A morerapid tightening action is achieved by providing for the application ofthe forces at two diametrically opposed positions with respect to thesurface of the coil, thereby increasing the vibrational forces two-fold.The provision of more than two force applying means while possible, hasnot been found to be advantageous or economical.

As has been indicated, a gradual tightening or compacting action willoccur; but there is a tendency for the outer or loose convolutions ofthe coil to re-expand. The degree of re-expansion is less than thedegree of contraction, so that the coil ultimately becomes tight andcompacted. But such re-expansion as occurs somewhat delays theattainment of a tight coil by the means thus far described. It has beenfound that the degree of re-expansion can be lessened and the processmade quite rapid in the attainment of a compact coil by plac ing a bandaround the coil and tightening the band as permitted by the contractingmovements of the outer convolutions. The band by itself will not serveto compact the coil. It serves merely to minimize the re-expansion ofthe outer convolutions. The point or points of application of thehammering or vibrational forces need not be located at the center of thecoil in the axial or vertical direction, but can be located at any partof the coil from substantially the top to substantially the bottom ofit. In general practice the points of force application are located forconvenience about threequarters of the Way down from the top of thecoil. This makes it possible to locate a band around the coil in thecentral portion of it, and to take up the band progressively as the coilis compacted. The take-up means for the band is generally provided witha device for locking the band when the coil has become compacted. Thusthe apparatus and method of this invention is adapted to delivercompacted and handed coils which are ready for future handling, storageor transportation; and the compacting of the coils does not addsignificantly to the banding time, nor does it constitute a separateoperation.

The apparatus and method of this invention will now be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The coils are brought to the compacting station in upright position,i.e. with their axes vertical. While this does not constitute alimitation on the invention they will generally be moving on aconventional conveyor. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 where the up-endedhot coil 1 has been brought to the position shown by a conventionalconveyor 2 which in this instance is of the type in which flexibletreads 3 and 4 support the coil. Other types of conveyors may be used,or the coils may be delivered to the compacting station by means ofwheeled vehicles, an overhead crane, or in other suitable ways.

When the coil reaches the compacting position as shown in FIG. 2 theconveyor will be stopped. Or, if desired, an elevating means 6 such as aweighing platform may be employed to raise the coil from the treads 3and 4 of the conveyor. When the elevating means 6 is a weighingplatform, the coils are weighed at the same time that they are compactedand banded. While the coil 1 it has been illustrated in FIG. 2 in thecompacted condi- 'tion. This is achieved through the action of hammeringor vibrational means having heads 7 and 8 which heads, it will be noted,are located at diametrically opposite positions.

Various means for mounting and positioning the de vices which exert thehammering or vibrational forces may be employed. However, in general, itwill be necessary to provide means for projecting the devices toward andwidthdrawing the devices from the positions in which they act upon thecoil. In addition, and depending upon the conditions in the work space,it may be found advisable to provide a means whereby the entirehammering or vibrational mechanism may be swung out of the way so thatpassage alongside the conveyor 2 is made possible. Mechanism of thistype is illustrated in FIG. 1.

An upright beam or standard 9 is afiixed to the floor and is held in thevertical position by any suitable means which may include braces such asare shown at 10. A cantilever arm 11, which extends horizontally, isprovided with a vertical back plate 12 and generally, for rigidity, withtapering side members 13. The cantilever arm assembly is pivoted to thestandard 9 by suitable hinging means at the top and bottom of thebacking member 12. These hinging means are shown in FIG. 1 at 14. Thehinging means permit the cantilever arm to be swung from a position inwhich it is substantially parallel to and spaced from the conveyor 2, toa position such as is shown in FIG. 2 in which it extends at an anglefrom the standard 9 toward the center of the coil 1. The cantilever arm11 may be moved by hand if desired; but it is convenient to provide itwith a means, such as an air cylinder 15, whereby it may be moved fromits first mentioned position to its operational position, and heldagainst further movement in either selected position.

The vibrational or hammering device having the head 7 is shown in thefigures as an air hammer 16. This air hammer is mounted for longitudinalsliding movement on the cantilever arm 11 by means of a carriage whichcomprises a base 17 and an upper frame 18. The base 17 may be mounted.for sliding movement upon the cantilever arm 11 in any suitable fashion,such as by the employment of ways, tracks, rollers, or the like.

In the operation of the device, when the cantilever arm 11 is swung intothe position illustrated in FIG. 2, the carriage will be moved outwardlyalong the cantilever arm 11 until the head 7 is brought against thecoil. This movement is accomplished by means of an air cylinder 19, therear end of which is connected to the back plate 12 of the cantileverarm. The piston rod 20 of the cylinder is connected to a bracket 21 onthe carriage 17, 18. The cylinders 15, 16 and. 19 are preferablyactuated by air; but steam or other compressed fluid may be employed.They will have connections through suitable conduits with a source ofthe compressed fluid; and where the parts are movable with respect tothe source, these connections will be by means of flexible conduits aswell understood in the art. Some of these conduits have been shown inthe drawings. The skilled. worker in the art will understand thatvalving means are provided to effect the actuating of the cylinders inproper sequence. These valving means (not shown) may be located in anyposition of convenient access to an operator.

In the particular form of the invention illustrated, there is a housing22 in connection with the standard 9. At one end of this housing thereis provided a means for initially supporting a band in connection withthe coil 1. This means may take various forms. In the form illustrated aplate 23 is hinged as at 24 to a portion of the housing, and may bespring controlled so as to be urged into a position in which it extendstoward the coil. An arm 25 is pivoted to the plate 23 and, if desired,may be provided with means including a slot and key as illustrated foradjusting its angular position. The arm 25 extends toward the coil 1 andis so positioned that its outer end is in contact or substantially incontact with the outer convolution of the coil. The purpose of the arm25 is to support a band 26 shown in FIG. 2. This band may be theordinary steel band or strap used in banding coils; and the ends of itare engaged in a tightening means 27 also shown diagrammatically in thefigure. An air-operated ratchet type means, as conventional in the art,may be employed; and since the temperature of a hot coil as receivedfrom the coiler may be quite high, say up to 1000 F., it will generallybe found preferable to use the conventional powered tightening andclamping means suspended from above as by means of a chain 28 or othersuitable suspension so that it may be swung into position when needed.The arm 25 is useful in supporting one side of the band while it isbeing passed over the coil and until it is tightened somewhat by thedevice 27. Unless the outer convolutions of the coil are too loose topermit this, it is preferable to apply the band and the tighteningdevice at the start of the coil compactmg operation.

When the cantilever arms 11 are swung into position, the air cylinders19 will be actuated to bring the devices 16 into such position that theheads 7 and 8 contact the outer convolution of the coil. Since thecarriage 17, 18 is moved by an air or like cylinder, the heads 7 and 8will move inwardly with the outer convolution of the coil as the coil isbeing compacted. When the air or other fluid has moved the carriages 17,18 to their extended positions, fluid under pressure will enter thecylinders 16 and initiate the hammering action of the heads 7 and 8against the coil at the desired number of strokes per minute.

The compacting action takes place as hereinabove described, and in thecourse of the compacting action the band 26 is tightened so as to takeup the slack. In a short time the coil will be found to be fullycompacted, and the band 26 will have its ends fastened together as isconventional in the art of banding.

While the force-exerting members have been illustrated and described asair hammers (these being preferred) other means including purelyvibrational means may be employed. The rapidity of the operation of thevibratory or hammering devices may be considerably varied, andsatisfactory results have been obtained with rates varying from about to3,000 strokes per minute. Twelve hundred strokes per minute has givenexcellent results. The strokes of the force-exerting devices appear tobe the chief factor in producing an actual compacting of the coil; andthe force of the strokes of the hammering or vibrational devices bears arelationship to the material which is being treated. For example, withan apparatus as shown, it was found entirely practicable to compactrolls of hot rolled low carbon steel .080 in. in gauge and 25 in. inwidth with an air pressure in the cylinders 16 of about 50 pounds persquare inch gauge (p.s.i.g.). However, in another operation in which18-8 hot rolled stainless steel coils .160 in. in gauge and 28 /2 in.wide were being treated, a better and more rapid result was noted whenthe air pressure was increased to about pounds p.s.i.g. as compared withthe use of lower pressures.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from thespirit of it. The invention having been described in a particularexemplary embodiment, what is claimed as new and desired to be securedby Letters Patent is:

1. In a process for the compacting of metal coils the steps ofsupporting a coil in a stationary position with its axis vertical, andsubjecting the exterior of the coil to a series of rapidly repetitivehammer blows at a frequency of substantially one hundred tosubstantially three thousand blows per minute from a powered apparatusacting upon the coil in a substantially radial direction and at a fixedpoint as respects the coil body.

2. A process of compacting coils including the steps of supporting thecoils in a position with their axes vertical, and subjecting the coilsto a series of rapidly repetitive hammer blows delivered by mechanicalmeans acting upon the coil at not more than two diametrically opposedpositions, the said means exerting forces upon the said coil in asubstantially radial direction.

3. The process claimed in claim 2 wherein the coils are hot coils ofmetal characterized by a looseness or uncompacted condition of at leastthe outer convolution thereof, and the frequency of said repetitiveblows is substantially 100 to substantially 3,000 blows per minute.

4. The process claimed in claim 2 wherein a band is placed about theperiphery of the coil so as to be in place thereon during at least thelatter portion of the compacting operation, the said band being taken upas permitted by the contracting of the outer convolutions of the coilsso as to prevent re-expansion of the said convolutions.

5. In a structure for tightening the convolutions of metal coils, meansfor supporting a coil of metal with its axis in a substantially verticalposition, means for applying to the outer curved surface of the coil aseries of hammer blows of repetitive character and in a substantiallyradial direction at at least one but not more than two points on thesurface of the coil, and means for actuating said blow exerting means ata frequency of substantially one hundred to substantially three thousandblows per minute.

6. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein there are two means forapplying the said blows, the said means being located at opposite endsof a diameter of the said coil.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein the blows are applied to thecoil at positions below the center thereof, and including means forsupporting a band encircling the coil during the initial exertion of thesaid forces.

8. The structure claimed in claim 7 including substantially horizontalarms, and wherein the means for exerting the said blows on the coil aremovably located on said arms.

9. The structure claimed in claim 8 including means for moving the blowexerting means along a portion at least of the length of the said arms.

10. The structure claimed in claim 9 including a substantially verticalpivoting means, and in which said arms are swingable about said pivotingmeans.

11. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein the means for applying theblows is an air hammer.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,665,730 4/1928Chase -3 2,182,663 12/1939 Eby et al.

3,020,831 2/1962 Barnes 100232 3,044,729 7/ 1962 Prellwitz 242-7813,070,007 12/ 1962 Toulmin 100264 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A PROCESS FOR THE COMPACTING OF METAL COILS THE STEPS OFSUPPORTING A COIL IN A STATIONARY POSITION WITH ITS AXIS VERTICAL, ANDSUBJECTING THE EXTERIOR OF THE COIL TO A SERIES OF RAPIDLY REPETITIVEHAMMER BLOWS AT A FREQUENCY OF SUBSTANTIALLY ONE HUNDRED TOSUBSTANTIALLY THREE THOUSAND BLOWS PER MINUTE FROM A POWERED APPARATUSACTING UPON THE COIL IN A SUBSTANTIALLY RADIAL DIRECTION AND AT A FIXEDPOINT AS RESPECTS THE COIL BODY.